I was thinking I would write two blog posts, today. But, as I reflect on them, they are connected. So, I will write from that perspective.
First, I was going to write more about being a support to others. I feel that my last post on it was incomplete and too narrow. I was writing about how society feels we should all be focused on ourselves and what we can do for ourselves, and for many such as myself doing things for others is a chief pleasure. Yes, it can be abused by others that take advantage of it, and not everyone is built that way. However, we should not be defining what is good for others by what is good for ourselves. On this transgender day of recognition, that is DEFINITELY a lesson our society could learn.
However, it is not something that is relegated to one family role or a career or more. For example, I am a support to my love in my relationship, but she is a support to me, as well. So, it is a QUALITY that is good to be honored and respected. It is not weakness, but it is a strength of soul to care for others. Others may not always share it back to you, and you should value those that do, highly. However, my desire to care for another is not dependent upon what that person does for me. I do it, because that is how I am built. I do it, because that is who I desire to be. I do it, because caring for another is a good thing to do for them, and it is something given from God to do, as well.
And, that leads to my second point... Grace. For a long time..until recently... I had a wrong perception of Grace. I felt that Grace consisted of God holding a list of everything that I did wrong and then saying... well, I guess I'll overlook it and love you, anyways. A lot of denominations say exactly that. However, that's not Grace. Grace is when you love someone that you don't stop to count the wrongs. You just love them. You just care for them. You just SUPPORT them... because it's good to do and flows naturally out of your heart. Imagine if the whole world had just a little of that perspective.
Anyways, no... getting more for yourself is not the best for everyone. If they don't stop to consider others, I'm not sure it is best for ANYONE. However, we should definitely allow others to choose a life of grace and support, and we should support and honor them for that choice.